Product Liability

Statute Of Limitations

PRODUCT LIABILITY LAWSUIT CHRONOLOGY

THE TIME PERIOD WITHIN WHICH YOU CAN BRING A LAWSUIT FOR PERSONAL INJURIES IN PRODUCT LIABILITY CASES.

Ferguson & Ferguson

Attorneys at Law

The deadlines set forth on this page should not be relied on without the assistance of a competent personal injury attorney in your state. Different deadlines apply to different kinds of personal injury cases. DO NOT assume that the deadline stated in this list applies to your case. This list represents a beginning step only in determining whether the statute of limitations has expired on your claim. Statutes of limitations restrict the time period that a person can file a lawsuit. These statutes not only vary by state, but they also vary by cause of action. The following guide provides limitations periods for each state, but only for particular causes of action; specifically, those related to personal injury, medical malpractice, and products liability claims. The sections discussing special rules for minors only apply to the causes of action listed for that particular state.

Statute of Limitations by State

Whenever you are injured in any type of an accident, it is in your best interest to file a claim as soon as possible. In addition, the laws for each state put a time limit on when you can file a claim. If you don’t file in the required time, you will lose your right to sue and recover money damages for your injuries. When you are injured in an accident, statute of limitations laws for the state must be observed. To find out what your state’s statute of limitations are for injury claims, find your state and click on it on the map below, or use the links on the side of this page:

Note: Statutes of limitations restrict the time period that a person can file a lawsuit. These statutes not only vary by state, but they also vary by cause of action. The guides in this section provide limitations periods for each state, but only for particular causes of action; specifically, those related to personal injury, medical malpractice, and products liability claims.

Alabama

Personal Injury Actions

A personal injury action must be filed within two years of the date of the injury.

Medical Malpractice Actions

All actions against health-care providers must be filed within two years after the date of the act giving rise to the injury occurred, or within six months of the date the injury was, or should have been, discovered. In no event may a suit be filed more than four years after the date of the act giving rise to the injury occurred. This limitations period applies to minors over four years of age. However, in the case of a minor under four years of age, that minor has until his or her eighth birthday to file a medical malpractice action.

Products Liability Actions

These actions must be filed within one year of the date that the injury occurred. However, in cases where the injury is not discovered before that time because it resulted from exposure to or ingestion of a harmful substance over time, the plaintiff has one year from the time that the injury is, or should have been, discovered to file suit.

Special Rules for Minors

Except in cases of medical malpractice, the limitations period begins to run on the minor’s 19th birthday.

Personal Injury Actions

Personal Injury Actions must be filed within two years of the date of the injury. In Alaska, Personal Injury Actions include medical malpractice and product liability claims. Alaska has a “discovery rule” that tolls the limitations period. Under that rule, the statute of limitations begins to run when the injured person discovers, or should have discovered, the existence of the cause of action.

Special Rules for Minors

In Alaska, the statute of limitations begins to run on the minor’s 18th birthday.

Special Rules for Minors

Personal Injury Actions

A personal injury action must be filed within three years from the date of the injury.

Medical Malpractice Actions

In Arkansas, a claim against a health-care provider must be filed within two years of the date that the negligent act or omission occurred.

Medical Malpractice Actions Based on Foreign Object Left in Body

In cases where a health-care provider leaves an object in a person’s body and the person did not discover and could not discover the foreign object within the two-year limitations period, the action may be commenced within one year from the date of discovery of the foreign object, or one year from the date it should have been discovered, whichever is earlier.

Products Liability

A products liability action must be filed within three years of the date of the injury.

Special Rules for Minors

In Arkansas, a person under 21 has three years after his or her 21st birthday to file suit.
In cases where a minor who suffers a medical injury and is nine years of age or younger at the time of the injury, the minor has until the later of the minor’s 11th birthday or two years from the act to file suit. If, however, no medical injury is known and could not have been reasonably discovered prior to the minor’s 11th birthday, the minor has until two years after the injury is known or reasonably could have been discovered, or until the minor’s 19th birthday, whichever is earlier, to file suit.

Personal Injury Actions

California requires an injured person to file a claim for personal injuries within two years of the date of the injury. This time limitation includes claims for personal injury caused by defective products.

Medical Malpractice Actions

Actions against health-care providers must be filed within three years after the date of the injury or one year after the plaintiff discovers, or should have discovered, the injury, whichever occurs first. The only exception is for medical malpractice claims based on the presence of a foreign object found inside the injured person’s body. In that case, the statute of limitations will not begin to run until the person discovers, or should have discovered, the object. These time limitations also apply to minors six years of age and older. In the case of a minor under six, the action must be filed within three years of the date of the injury or before the minor’s eighth birthday, whichever time period is greater.

Special Rules for Minors

Except in cases of medical malpractice, a minor has two years from the date of his or her 18th birthday to file a tort claim.

Personal Injury Actions

An action for personal injury must be filed within two years of the date that the injury occurred.

Motor Vehicle Accidents

In Colorado, one can file suit to recover damages for injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident up to three years after the accident occurred.

Uninsured Motorist Claims

Uninsured motorist claims must be filed three years after the cause of action accrues.

Medical Malpractice

Actions against health-care providers must be filed within two years of date of the injury or within two years after the injury was, or should have been, discovered. In no event may a person file a medical malpractice claim more than three years after the act giving rise to the injury occurred.

Products Liability

Products liability suits must be filed within two years of the date of the injury.

Special Rules for Minors

The statute of limitations begins to run on the minor’s 18th birthday.

Personal Injury Actions

A personal injury action must be filed within two years of the date of the injury.

Medical Malpractice Actions

An injured person must file suit against a health-care provider within two years of the date the injury is first sustained or discovered. In no event can suit be filed more than three years from the date that the negligent act or omission occurred.

Products Liability Actions

These actions must be brought within three years of the date that the injury occurred or within three years of the date when the injury was, or should have been, discovered.

Special Rules for Minors

Connecticut has no statute that extends the limitations period in favor of minors.

Personal Injury Actions

Personal injuries actions must be brought within two years of the date of the injury.

Medical Malpractice Actions

Claims against health-care providers must be brought within two years of the date that the injury occurred. If the injury was unknown and could not have discovered within the two-year time limit, the action may be brought within three years of the date of the injury, but in no event after the expiration of three years. Finally, minors under six have until their sixth birthday to file suit or within the two-year limitations period, whichever time period is greater.

Products Liability Actions

Products liability actions must be filed within two years after the plaintiff suffers the injury.

Special Rules for Minors

Except in the case of medical malpractice, there are no other special rules for minors.

Personal Injury Actions

Personal Injury Actions must be brought within four years of the date the injury occurred.

Medical Malpractice Actions

Actions against health-care providers must be filed within two years of the date when the act giving rise to the injury occurred, or within two years of the date when the injury was, or should have been, discovered. In no event may a medical malpractice action be filed more than four years from the date that the act giving rise to the cause of action occurred, except in cases where the plaintiff can show that fraud, concealment, or intentional misrepresentation prevented discovery of the injury. In those cases, the statute will be extended for two years, not to exceed seven years from the date of the injury. These time limitations apply to minors eight and older. In the case of a minor under eight, the child must file suit by his or her eighth birthday or within the limitations period discussed above, whichever time period is greater.

Products Liability Actions

Products liability actions must be brought within four years of the date of the injury.

Special Rules for Minors

Except in cases of medical malpractice, most negligence actions for injuries sustained by a minor must be brought within four years of the date of the injury. There are, however, special limited exceptions to this general rule.

Personal Injury Actions

Personal Injury Actions must be brought within two years of the date that the injury occurred.

Medical Malpractice Actions

Actions against health-care providers must be filed within two years of the date that the act giving rise to the injury occurred. If a person was unable to discover his injury during this time, the limitations period will be extended. In no event, however, can a person bring a medical malpractice action after five years from the date that the act giving rise to the injury occurred. All minors who have reached the age of five years old are subject to these time limitations. A minor who has not reached five years of age has two years from the date of the minor’s fifth birthday to bring a medical malpractice action if the cause of action arose before he or she reached age five. A medical malpractice action cannot be brought by or on behalf of a minor after the minor’s tenth birthday if the minor was under five on the date the injury occurred. A medical malpractice action cannot be brought by or on behalf of a minor after five years from the date on which the injury occurred if the minor was five or older on the date of the injury.

Medical Malpractice Actions Based on a Foreign Object Left In Body

In cases where a health-care provider leaves an object in a person’s body, that person has one year from the date that the wrongful act was discovered to file suit.

Products Liability Actions

Products liability actions must be brought within two years after the plaintiff suffers the injury.

Special Rules for Minors

Personal Injury Actions

Personal Injury Actions must be brought within two years of the date that the injury occurred.

Medical Malpractice Actions

Actions against health-care providers must be filed within two years of the date that the plaintiff discovers, or should have discovered, the injury, but in no event can the action be filed more than six years after the date of the act that caused the injury. An action by a minor who is ten or older must be brought within six years from the date of the act that caused the injury. In the case of a minor under ten, the action must be filed within six years or by the minor’s tenth birthday, whichever time period is greater. This time limitation is also tolled for any period which the minor’s injury could not have been discovered by reasonable diligence.

Products Liability Actions

Generally, products liability actions must be brought within two years after the plaintiff suffers the injury.

Special Rules for Minors

Except in cases of medical malpractice, the limitations period begins to run on the minor’s 18th birthday.

Special Rules for Minors

Personal Injury Actions

Personal Injury Actions must be brought within two years of the date of the injury.

Medical Malpractice Actions

Actions against health-care providers must be filed within two years of the date that the act giving rise to the injury occurred or within two years of the date of discovery of the injury. In no event can suit be filed more than four years after the date that the act occurred. When a minor (under 18) suffers an injury because of medical malpractice, the action must be filed within eight years of the date of the injury, but in no event after the person’s 22nd birthday.

Products Liability Actions

Products liability actions must be brought within two years after the plaintiff suffers the injury. If the injury is not discovered within the two-year time limit, suit must be filed within two years of the date of discovery, but in no event more than eight years of the date that the injury occurred.

Special Rules for Minors

In medical malpractice cases, the minor’s age at the time of injury will determine when suit must be filed. In other cases, a person has two years after his or her 18th birthday to file an action.

Personal Injury Actions

These actions must be brought within two years of the date of the injury.

Medical Malpractice Actions

Actions against health-care providers must be filed within two years of the date that the act giving rise to the injury occurred, regardless of age. Minors under six, however, have until their 8th birthday to file suit.

Products Liability Actions

Products liability actions must be brought within two years after the plaintiff suffers the injury, regardless of age.

Special Rules for Minors

The statute of limitations on ordinary negligence claims begins to run on the minor’s 18th birthday.

Personal Injury Actions

These actions must be brought within two years of the date the injury occurred.

Medical Malpractice Actions

Actions against health-care providers must be filed within two years of the date that the act giving rise to the injury occurred. If the injured person did not discover the injury, suit must be filed within two years of the date the injury was, or should have been discovered, but in no event more than six years after the date that the negligent act or omission occurred. These time limits apply to minors eight and older. A minor under eight years old must file suit within two years of the date the injury occurred or by his or her 10th birthday, whichever is later.

Products Liability Actions

Generally, products liability actions must be brought within two years after the plaintiff suffers the injury but there may be exceptions. For more information that may effect this general rule, please refer to Iowa statutory and case law.

Special Rules for Minors

Except in cases of medical malpractice, the statute of limitations is extended in favor of minors, so that they shall have one year from their 18th birthday within which to file suit.

Personal Injury Actions

These actions must be brought within two years of the date that the negligent act causes substantial injury, unless the fact of injury is not reasonably ascertainable until some time after the initial act. In no event may suit be brought more than 10 years from the date that the act giving rise to the injury occurred.

Medical Malpractice Actions

Actions against health-care providers must be filed within two years of the date that the act giving rise to the injury occurred, unless the injury was not discovered during that time. In that case, suit must be filed within four years of the date that the act giving rise to the injury occurred.

Products Liability Actions

Generally, products liability actions brought under negligence theories must be filed within two years after the plaintiff suffers a substantial injury, and those actions brought under strict liability theories must be filed within two years after the injury occurs.

Special Rules for Minors

Minors have one year after their 18th birthday to file suit, but in no event more than eight years after the act giving rise to the injury occurred.

Personal Injury Actions

These actions must be brought within one year of the date of the injury.

Medical Malpractice Actions

Actions against health-care providers must be filed within one year of the date that the act giving rise to the injury occurred. If the injury is not discovered during that time, suit can be brought later, but in no event more than five years after the act giving rise to the injury occurred.

Products Liability Actions

Products liability actions must be brought within one year after the plaintiff suffers the injury.

Special Rules for Minors

The statute of limitations begins to run when a minor turns 18, or, if under 18, when the minor marries. In Kentucky, those under 18 can marry with parental consent.

Personal Injury Actions

These actions must be brought within one year of the date that the injury occurred.

Medical Malpractice Actions

Actions against health-care providers must be filed within one year of the date that the act giving rise to the injury occurred, or one year from the date that the plaintiff discovers the injury. In no event can a medical malpractice action be filed more than three years from the date that the act giving rise to the injury occurred.

Products Liability Actions

Products liability actions must be brought within one year after the plaintiff suffers the injury.

Uninsured Motorist Claims

These claims must be filed within two years from the date of the accident.

Special Rules for Minors

The one-year statute of limitations does not run against minors (those under 18) in actions involving permanent disability and brought pursuant to the Louisiana Products Liability Act or state law governing products liability actions in effect at the time of the injury.

Personal Injury Actions

Personal Injury Actions must be brought within six years of the date of the injury.

Medical Malpractice Actions

Actions against health-care providers must be filed within three years of the date that the act giving rise to the injury occurred. In the case of a minor, suit must be filed within six years of the act or within three years after the minor reaches 18, whichever comes first.

Products Liability Actions

Products liability actions must be brought within six years after the plaintiff suffers the injury.

Special Rules for Minors

Except in cases of medical malpractice, minors have six years after their 18th birthday to file suit.

Personal Injury Actions

These actions must be brought within three years of the date of the injury.

Medical Malpractice Actions

Actions against health-care providers must be filed within five years of the date that the act giving rise to the injury occurred, or within three years after the injury was discovered. In the case of a minor under 11 years of age, the statute of limitations begins to run on the minor’s 11th birthday. Additionally, when a minor under 16 suffers an injury to the reproductive system or an injury caused by a foreign agent negligently left in the body, the statute of limitations begins to run on the child’s 16th birthday.

Products Liability Actions

Products liability actions must be brought within three years after the plaintiff suffers the injury.

Special Rules for Minors

Except in cases of medical malpractice, a minor must file suit within three years of his or her 18th birthday or within the time set in the particular statute, whichever comes first.

Personal Injury Actions

These actions must be brought within three years of the date of the injury.

Medical Malpractice Actions

Actions against health-care providers must be filed within three years of the date that the act giving rise to the injury occurred or within three years of its discovery. In no event can the statute of limitations be extended more than seven years after the date that the act giving rise to the injury occurred, unless the action is based on a foreign object being left in the body. In that case, the limitations period begins to run when the plaintiff discovered, or should have discovered, the foreign object. Minors under six have until their ninth birthday to file suit, but in no event more than seven years after the date of the act giving rise to the injury occurred. The three year statute of limitations applies to minors six and older.

Motor Vehicle Hit and Run Actions

These cases must be filed within six months after the injured person learns the identity of the negligent driver. In no event can an action be brought after the expiration of three years of the date on which the accident occurred.

Products Liability Actions

Generally, products liability actions must be brought within three years after the plaintiff suffers the injury. Depending on the nature of the claim, however, a different limitations period may apply.

Special Rules for Minors

Except in cases of medical malpractice, the statute of limitations begins to run on a person’s 18th birthday.

Personal Injury Actions

Personal Injury Actions must be brought within three years of the date of the injury.

Medical Malpractice Actions

Actions against health-care providers must be filed within two years of the date that the act giving rise to the injury occurred, or within six months after the plaintiff discovers, or should have discovered the injury, whichever date is later, but in no event more than six years after the date that the act occurred. In the case of a minor under eight years of age, the action must be commenced by the minor’s 10th birthday or within two years of the date of the injury, whichever time period is greater. Additionally, in cases where a minor under 13 suffers an injury to the reproductive system, the action must be filed by the minor’s 15th birthday or within the general two-year medical malpractice statute of limitations, whichever time period is greater. In all other medical malpractice cases involving minors under 18, the minor has one year after his or her birthday to file suit, but in no event less than two years after the date of the act giving rise to the injury occurred.

Products Liability Actions

Products liability actions must be brought within three years after the plaintiff suffers the injury.

Special Rules for Minors

Except in cases of medical malpractice, minors have one year after their 18th birthday to file suit, but in no event can the time period be lessened below the period provided in the statute of limitations that actually applies to the action.

Personal Injury Actions

Depending on the nature of the claim, either a two-year or a six-year statute of limitations will apply. Actions based on “ordinary negligence,” for example, carry a six-year statute. In cases where an injury was caused by a defective or unsafe condition of real estate, a two-year limitations period applies.

Medical Malpractice Actions

Actions against health-care providers must be filed within four years of the date that the act giving rise to the injury occurred.

Products Liability Actions

Depending on the circumstances and nature of the claim, a two, four, or six-year statute of limitations could apply.

Special Rules for Minors

The statute of limitations begins to run on the minor’s 18th birthday.

Personal Injury Actions

Personal Injury Actions must be brought within three years of the date when the injury occurred.

Medical Malpractice Actions

Actions against health-care providers must be filed within two years of the date that the act giving rise to the injury occurred, or within two years of the date when the injury was, or should have been, discovered. In no event can a person file a medical malpractice action more than seven years from the date that the negligent act or omission occurred. These time limits apply to minors six and older. In the case of minors under six years of age, medical malpractice actions must be filed within two years of the date of the child’s sixth birthday. Mississippi also requires all persons who intend to file a medical malpractice action to give a 60-day written notice of action to the defendant.

Products Liability Actions

Products liability actions must be brought within three years after the plaintiff suffers the injury.

Special Rules for Minors

Except in cases of medical malpractice, the statute of limitations begins to run on the minor’s 21st birthday.

Personal Injury Actions

These actions must be brought within five years of the date of the injury.

Medical Malpractice Actions

Actions against health-care providers must be filed within two years of the date that the act giving rise to the injury occurred. Children under 18 must file a medical malpractice action by their 20th birthday.

Medical Malpractice Action Based on Insertion of Foreign Object into the Body or Failure to Inform

These types of medical malpractice actions must be filed within two years of the date that the injury was discovered, and in no event more than 10 years after the act giving rise to the injury occurred.

Products Liability Actions

Products liability actions must be brought within five years after the plaintiff suffers the injury.

Personal Injury Actions

These actions must be brought within three years of the date of the injury.

Medical Malpractice Actions

Actions against health-care providers must be filed within three years of the date when the act giving rise to the injury occurred, or within three years from the date that the injury was, or should have been, discovered. In no event may a person file a medical malpractice claim more than five years after the act giving rise to the injury occurred. These rules apply to minors that are four years of age and older. In the case of minors under four, the statute begins to run on the minor’s eighth birthday.

Products Liability Actions

Products liability actions must be brought within three years after the plaintiff suffers the injury.

Special Rules for Minors

Except in cases of medical malpractice, the statute of limitations begins to run on the minor’s 18th birthday.

Personal Injury Actions

These actions must be brought within four years of the date that the injury occurred.

Medical Malpractice Actions

Actions against health-care providers must be filed within two years of the date that the act giving rise to the injury occurred. If the injury is not discovered within the two-year period, then the action must be filed within one year from the date that the injury was, or should have been, discovered, whichever is earlier. In no event may a medical malpractice action be filed more than 10 years after the act giving rise to the injury occurred.

Products Liability Actions

Products liability actions must be brought within four years after the plaintiff suffers the injury.

Special Rules for Minors

The statute of limitations begins to run on the minor’s 20th birthday.

Personal Injury Actions

These actions must be brought within two years of the date of the injury.

Medical Malpractice Actions

Actions against health-care providers must be filed within four years of the date that the act giving rise to the injury occurred, or within two years after the injury was, or should have been, discovered, whichever is earlier. In Nevada, parents are responsible for bringing medical malpractice actions on behalf of their minor children within the limitations period. There are, however, two exceptions that extend the limitations period in favor of minors. In cases where a minor’s injury results in brain damage or a birth defect, suit must be filed by the child’s 10th birthday. In cases where a minor’s injury results in sterility, the action must be filed within two years of the date the injury was discovered.

Products Liability Actions

Products liability actions must be brought within four years after the plaintiff suffers the injury.

Special Rules for Minors

Except in cases of medical malpractice, the statute of limitations begins to run on the minor’s 18th birthday.

Personal Injury Actions

Personal Injury Actions must be brought within three years of the date of the injury.

Medical Malpractice Actions

Actions against health-care providers must be filed within two years of the date that the act giving rise to the injury occurred. This limitations period applies to minors who are eight and older. A minor under eight has until his or her 10th birthday to file a medical malpractice action.

Medical Malpractice Actions Based on Insertion of Foreign Objects

In these cases, suit must be filed within two years of insertion of the foreign object or within two years of discovering the foreign object, whichever is earlier. This rule applies to minors.

Products Liability Actions

Products liability actions must be brought within three years after the plaintiff suffers the injury or within three years of discovering the injury. In no event may a products liability action be brought more than 12 years after the product was manufactured and sold.

Special Rules for Minors

Except in cases of medical malpractice, minors have two years from their 18th birthday to file suit.

Personal Injury Actions

These actions must be brought within two years of the date of the injury.

Medical Malpractice Actions

Actions against health-care providers must be filed within two years of the date that the act giving rise to the injury occurred or within two years of the date when the injury was, or should have been, discovered. An action filed by or on behalf of a minor for medical malpractice injuries sustained at birth must be brought before the child’s 13th birthday.

Products Liability Actions

Products liability actions must be brought within two years after the plaintiff suffers the injury or within two years of the date the injury was, or should have been, discovered.

Special Rules for Minors

Except in cases of medical malpractice injuries suffered at birth, the statute of limitations begins to run on the minor’s 21st birthday.

Personal Injury Actions

Personal Injury Actions must be brought within three years of the date of the injury.

Medical Malpractice Actions

Actions against health-care providers must be filed within three years of the date that the act giving rise to the injury occurred.

Products Liability Actions

Products liability actions must be brought within three years after the plaintiff suffers the injury or within three years of the date that the plaintiff discovered, or should have discovered, the injury.

Special Rules for Minors

Minors have one year from the date of their 18th birthday to file suit.

Personal Injury Actions

These actions must be brought within three years of the date of the injury.

Medical Malpractice Actions

Actions against health-care providers must be filed within two years and six months after the date of the act that gave rise to the injury occurred.

Medical Malpractice Actions Based on the Insertion of a Foreign Object

These actions must be filed within one year of the date that the foreign object was, or should have been, discovered, whichever is earlier.

Products Liability Actions

Products liability actions must be brought within three years after the plaintiff suffers the injury.

Special Rules for Minors

A minor has three years from the date of his or her 18th birthday to file suit. However, New York law provides that the limitations period can be extended in favor of minors for more than 10 years after the act giving rise to the injury occurred, except in cases of medical malpractice.

Personal Injury Actions

These actions must be brought within three years of the date when bodily harm caused by a negligent act is apparent or should have been apparent, whichever occurs first. In no event can suit be filed more than 10 years after the act giving rise to the injury occurred.

Medical Malpractice Actions

In North Carolina, a cause of action for medical malpractice accrues at the time of the occurrence of the last act giving rise to the injury. Suit must be filed within three years of this date or two years after the date the injury was, or should have been, discovered. In no event can a person bring a medical malpractice action more than four years after the last act giving rise to the injury occurred. Actions on behalf of minors arising out of the performance or failure to perform professional services must be filed within these time limits, except if the limits expire before the minor reaches age 19. In that case, the action may be brought before the minor’s 19th birthday.

Medical Malpractice Actions Based on the Insertion of a Foreign Object

These actions must be filed within one year of the date of discovery of the foreign object or within one year when the object should have been discovered. In no event can a person file suit for insertion of a foreign object more than 10 years after the last act giving rise to the object’s insertion occurred.

Products Liability Actions

In cases of personal injury caused by a defective product or a product failure, the plaintiff cannot file suit more than six years from the date of the initial purchase of the product.

Special Rules for Minors

Except in certain cases of medical malpractice, a minor must file suit within three years of his or her 18th birthday, and at no time thereafter.

Personal Injury Actions

These actions must be brought within two years of the date that the injury occurred.

Medical Malpractice Actions

Actions against health-care providers must be filed within two years of the date that the act giving rise to the injury occurred or within two years of the date when the injury was, or should have been, discovered. In no event can a medical malpractice action be brought more than six years after the act giving rise to the injury occurred. The statute of limitations is extended in favor of minors, but the extension is limited to 12 years after the date of the act giving rise to the claim occurred.

Products Liability Actions

In most cases, a six-year statute of limitations applies.

Special Rules for Minors

The statute of limitations on personal injury actions begins to run on the minor’s 18th birthday.

Personal Injury Actions

These actions must be brought within two years of the date of the injury.

Medical Malpractice Actions

Actions against health-care providers must be filed within one year of the date that the act giving rise to the injury occurred. However, if the plaintiff gives the defendant written notice of the claim within one year of the date of the injury, suit may be filed within 180 days after the notice is given.

Medical Malpractice Actions Based on the Insertion of a Foreign Object

These cases must be filed within one year of the date that the foreign object was discovered or should have been discovered. In no event can the action be filed more than four years after the foreign object was inserted into the plaintiff’s body.

Products Liability Actions

Products liability actions must be brought within two years after the plaintiff suffers the injury.

Special Rules for Minors

The statute of limitations begins to run on the minor’s 18th birthday.

Personal Injury Actions

Personal Injury Actions must be brought within two years of the date of the injury.

Medical Malpractice Actions

Actions against health-care providers must be filed within two years of the date that the act giving rise to the injury occurred. In the case of a minor under 12, the minor’s parent or guardian must bring suit on behalf of the minor within seven years after the act giving rise to the injury occurred. If the minor was injured at age 12 or older, he or she has one year after turning 18 to file suit, but in no event may such a minor file suit less than two years after the date of the act giving rise to the injury occurred.

Products Liability Actions

Products liability actions must be brought within two years after the plaintiff suffers the injury.

Special Rules for Minors

Except in cases of medical malpractice, a minor has one year after his or her 18th birthday to file suit.

Personal Injury Actions

These actions must be brought within two years of the date of the injury.

Medical Malpractice Actions

Actions against health-care providers must be filed within two years of the date that the act giving rise to the injury occurred or within two years of the date when the injury was, or should have been, discovered. In no event may a medical malpractice action be filed more than five years after the date of the act giving rise to the injury occurred.

Products Liability Actions

Products liability actions must be brought within two years after the plaintiff suffers the injury or within two years of the date when the injury was, or should have been, discovered. In no event may a person file a products liability action more than eight years after the product was purchased or used, except in cases where the injury was later discovered. In those cases, the action cannot be filed more than 10 years after the product was first purchased or used.

Special Rules for Minors

Generally, the statute of limitations begins to run on a minor’s 18th birthday. In cases of medical malpractice, however, the minor must bring the action within five years of the date of the act that gave rise to the injury occurred.

Personal Injury Actions

A personal injury action must be filed within two years of the date when the injury occurred. In Pennsylvania, personal injury actions include medical malpractice and products liability claims. Pennsylvania does, however, have a “discovery rule,” which, in limited cases, extends the time for filing a personal injury action. Under this rule, the statute of limitations will begin to run at the time the plaintiff knows, or should have known, that he or she was injured and that the injury was caused by another’s conduct.

Special Rules for Minors

An “unemancipated minor” must file suit within two years of his or her 18th birthday. An “unemancipated minor” is a person under 18 who is not totally self-supporting. In cases where the minor is emancipated, or totally self-supporting, at the time of the injury, he or she must file suit within two years of the date when the injury occurred.

Personal Injury Actions

Personal Injury Actions must be filed within three years of the date that the injury occurred.

Medical Malpractice Actions

Actions against health-care providers must be filed within three years of the date that the act giving rise to the injury occurred or within three years of the date the injury was, or should have been, discovered. A minor must file a medical malpractice action within three years of his or her 18th birthday.

Products Liability Actions

Products liability actions must be brought within three years of the date of the injury and in no event more than ten years after the cause of action accrued.

Special Rules for Minors

Except in the case of medical malpractice, the statute of limitations begins to run on the minor’s 18th birthday.

Personal Injury Actions

These actions must be brought within three years of the date of the injury.

Medical Malpractice Actions

Actions against health-care providers must be filed within three years of the date that the act giving rise to the injury occurred or within three years when the injury was, or should have been, discovered. In no event may a person file a medical malpractice action more than six years after the act giving rise to the injury occurred. In the case of minors under 18, the statute of limitations for a medical malpractice action cannot be tolled more than seven years after the act giving rise to the injury occurred, nor can it be tolled more than one year after the minor turns 18.

Medical Malpractice Actions Based on the Insertion of a Foreign Object

These actions must be filed within two years after the foreign object is, or should have been, discovered. In no event shall the limitations period be less than three years after placement of the object into the plaintiff’s body.

Products Liability Actions

Products liability actions must be brought within three years after the plaintiff suffers the injury.

Special Rules for Minors

Except in cases of medical malpractice, minors have one year from the date of their 18th birthday to file suit.

Personal Injury Actions

Personal Injury Actions must be brought within three years of the date that the injury occurred.

Medical Malpractice Actions

Actions against health-care providers must be filed within two years of the date that the act giving rise to the injury occurred. In the case of a minor under six, the child has two years after his or her sixth birthday to file a medical malpractice action. In the case of minors six and older, the minor must file suit within three years of the date of the act giving rise to the injury.

Products Liability Actions

Products liability actions must be brought within three years after the plaintiff suffers the injury or within three years of the date the injury was, or should have been, discovered.

Special Rules for Minors

Except in cases of medical malpractice, the statute of limitations is tolled until the minor’s 18th birthday, but an action cannot be brought more than one year after the minor’s 18th birthday.

Personal Injury Actions

These actions must be brought within one year of the date that the injury occurred.

Medical Malpractice Actions

Actions against health-care providers must be filed within one year of the date that the act giving rise to the injury occurred or within one year from the date of discovery, but in no event more than three years from the date that the negligent act occurred.

Medical Malpractice Actions Based on Insertion of Foreign Object into the Body

These types of medical malpractice actions must be brought within one year after the wrongful act is, or should have been, discovered.

Products Liability Actions

Products liability actions must be brought within one year after the plaintiff suffers the injury.

Special Rules for Minors

The statute of limitations begins to run on the minor’s 18th birthday.

Personal Injury Actions

These actions must be filed within two years of the date that the injury occurred.

Medical Malpractice Actions

Actions against health-care providers must be brought within two years of the date that the act giving rise to the injury occurred. This statute applies to minors 12 and older. Minors under 12 have until their 14th birthday to file suit. Claims against managed care entities and HMOs must comply with various utilization review requirements under the Texas Insurance Code before suit can be filed.

Products Liability Actions

Products liability actions must be brought within two years after the plaintiff suffers the injury.

Special Rules for Minors

Except in cases of medical malpractice, the statute of limitations begins to run on the minor’s 18th birthday.

Personal Injury Actions

Generally, personal injury actions must be brought within four years of the date of the injury. Depending on the facts, however, some cases must be brought within two years. For example, in cases where the negligence of another caused death, the action must be brought within two years.

Medical Malpractice Actions

Actions against health-care providers must be filed within two years of the date that the act giving rise to the injury occurred or within two years from the date that the injury was, or should have been, discovered. In no event may a person file a medical malpractice action more than four years from the date of the act giving rise to the injury. These time limitations also apply to minors under 18.

Medical Malpractice Actions Based on Insertion of a Foreign Object

In these cases, suit must be filed within two years of insertion of the object or within two years from the date the plaintiff discovered, or should have discovered, the object. These time limitations also apply to minors under 18.

Products Liability Actions

Products liability actions must be brought within two years after the plaintiff suffers the injury or within two years from the date the plaintiff discovered, or should have discovered, the injury.

Special Rules for Minors

Except in cases of medical malpractice, the statute of limitations begins to run on the minor’s 18th birthday.

Personal Injury Actions

These actions must be brought within three years of the date that the injury occurred.

Personal Injury Actions Based on Skiing Accidents

Claims for injuries suffered while skiing must be brought within one year.

Medical Malpractice Actions

Actions against health-care providers must be filed within three years of the date that the act giving rise to the injury occurred or within two years of the date that the injury was, or should have been, discovered. In no event may suit be filed more than seven years from the date that the act giving rise to the injury occurred.

Medical Malpractice Actions Based on Insertion of Foreign Object

If a foreign object is not discovered within the three-year medical malpractice statute of limitations, the plaintiff may file suit within two years of the date that the object was, or should have been, discovered.

Products Liability Actions

Products liability actions must be brought within three years after the plaintiff suffers the injury.

Special Rules for Minors

The statute of limitations begins to run on the minor’s 18th birthday.

Personal Injury Actions

Personal Injury Actions must be brought within two years of the date of the injury.

Medical Malpractice Actions

Actions against health-care providers must be filed within two years of the date that the act giving rise to the injury occurred. In the case of minors under the age of eight, the minor has until his or her 10th birthday to file suit. In the case of minors eight and older, suit must be filed within two years of the date that the act giving rise to the injury occurred.

Medical Malpractice Actions Based on Insertion of Foreign Object

In these cases, suit must be filed within one year from the date that the object was, or should have been, discovered. In no event may suit be filed more than 10 years from the date that the object was actually inserted.

Products Liability Actions

Products liability actions must be brought within two years after the plaintiff suffers the injury.

Special Rules for Minors

Except in cases of medical malpractice, the statute of limitations begins to run on the minor’s 18th birthday.

Personal Injury Actions

These actions must be brought within three years of the date that the injury occurred.

Medical Malpractice Actions

Actions against health-care providers must be filed within three years of the date that the act giving rise to the injury occurred or within one year after the date the injury was, or should have been, discovered, whichever is later. In no event may a medical malpractice action be filed more than eight years after the act giving rise to the injury occurred. A parent’s knowledge of a medical malpractice injury to his or her minor child is imputed on the parent.

Products Liability Actions

Products liability actions must be brought within three years after the plaintiff suffers the injury or within three years of the date when the injury was, or should have been, discovered.

Special Rules for Minors

Except in cases where a parent has knowledge of a medical malpractice injury, the statute of limitations begins to run on the minor’s 18th birthday.

Special Rules for Minors

Personal Injury Actions

Personal Injury Actions must be brought within two years of the date that the injury occurred.

Medical Malpractice Actions

Actions against health-care providers must be filed within two years of the date that the act giving rise to the injury occurred or within two years of the date the injury was, or should have been, discovered. In no event may a medical malpractice action be brought more than ten years after the date of the injury. A cause of action for injury to a minor under 10 at the time of the injury must be brought within two years of the date of the injury or prior to the minor’s 12th birthday, whichever provides the longer period.

Products Liability Actions

Products liability actions must be brought within two years after the plaintiff suffers the injury or within two years of the date the injury was, or should have been, discovered.

Special Rules for Minors

Except in cases of medical malpractice, the statute of limitations begins to run on the minor’s 18th birthday.

Personal Injury Actions

These actions must be brought within three years of the date of the injury.

Medical Malpractice Actions

Actions against health-care providers must be filed within three years of the date that the act giving rise to the injury occurred or within one year from the date that the injury was, or should have been, discovered. In no event may a person file a medical malpractice claim more than five years from the date that the act giving rise to the injury occurred. In the case of a minor, suit must be filed by the minor’s 10th birthday or within the general medical malpractice limitations period, whichever is later.

Medical Malpractice Actions Based on Insertion of Foreign Object

These types of medical malpractice actions must be brought within one year of the date when the patient is aware, or should have been aware, of the presence of the object, whichever is later.

Products Liability Actions

Products liability actions must be brought within three years after the plaintiff suffers the injury.

Special Rules for Minors

Except in cases of medical malpractice, a minor has two years from the date of his or her 18th birthday to file suit.

Personal Injury Actions

These actions must be brought within four years of the date that the injury occurred.

Medical Malpractice Actions

Actions against health-care providers must be filed within two years of the date that the act giving rise to the injury occurred or within two years after the injury was, or should have been, discovered. In the case of minors, suit must be filed within the two-year medical malpractice limitations period or by the minor’s eighth birthday, whichever time period is greater.

Products Liability Actions

Products liability actions must be brought within four years after the plaintiff suffers the injury.

Special Rules for Minors

Except in cases of medical malpractice, minors have three years after their 18th birthday to file suit.

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